Mid Glamorgan’s Reserves and Cadets who are making a difference in their communities have been celebrated by Her Majesty’s representative for the area.

Last night, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan Dame Kate Thomas DCVO held her 16th annual awards ceremony to recognise local youngsters and adults who have gone the extra mile to help others.

Nearly 100 people attended the event at the University of South Wales’ Conference Centre in Pontypridd to celebrate the high achievers from the Reserve and Cadet communities.

Lieutenant Commander Gary McKenzie RNR was awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Meritorious Volunteer Service. The Bridgend native is a Reservist with HMS Cambria, which is the only Royal Navy Reserve unit in Wales. He will soon be based in the Royal Navy’s multi-million pound building in Cardiff Bay when the construction process is complete in 2019.

Husband and wife Sergeant Clayton Gibbons and Corporal Karen Spencer-Jenkins from Pontypridd, who are both Army Reservists with 157 (Welsh) Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, also received the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Meritorious Volunteer Service.

Reserves from all services are vital and valued members of the UK’s Defence family. They enhance their everyday civilian lives through exciting adventurous training opportunities, also gaining transferable skills to boost their civilian careers.

The Lord-Lieutenant Cadets for 2018 were appointed to their new role and they received a distinctive badge to mark the occasion. The role includes accompanying the Lord-Lieutenant at official engagements, such as Royal visits and Remembrance services, and representing Cadets throughout the county.

For carrying out the role in 2017, the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate and Badge was presented to; Dyfed & Glamorgan ACF’s Cadet Company Sergeant Major John Dewi Jones and Cadet Sergeant Major Thomas Lock.

There are over 4,400 active Cadets at 210 locations across Wales. They are helped by more than 1,200 volunteers, who provide opportunities and inspiration for future generations to gain life changing experiences, skills and qualifications.

No 1 Welsh Wing’s RAF Air Cadets’ Mr John Greenow, from Pontyclun, and No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets’ Mrs Carol Gilbert from Bridgend received the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Meritorious Volunteer Service.

The event was organised by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales – an organisation that has supported the Armed Forces for over 100 years. To learn more about opportunities available, visit: www.Wales-RFCA.org or contact @RFCAforWales on Twitter.

Over 300 primary school pupils were joined by a team of RAF personnel at the National Museum in Cardiff who helped them to build rocket cars, try computer coding, make a parachute to safely land an egg and take part in a hot air balloon challenge.